Scott Boland will become just the second Indigenous man to represent Australia at Test level when he makes his debut in the Boxing Day Test against England.
Boland is one of two changes to the Australia, with Pat Cummins returning to captain duties after he was deemed a close contact of a man who tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to miss the second Test in Adelaide.
Michael Neser, who made his Test debut at Adelaide Oval, and Jhye Richardson will make way for Boland and Cummins.
Richardson took a maiden five-wicket haul on the last day of the Adelaide Test but is managing a minor leg injury while Josh Hazlewood is still recovering from a side strain that he suffered during the first Test at the Gabba.
32-year-old Boland has impressed at domestic level in the past couple of seasons and the Victorian has a strong record at the MCG, where he taken 91 first-class wicket at an average of 25.71.
He joins Jason Gillespie, Faith Thomas and Ashleigh Gardner as the only cricketer of Indigenous decent to play a Test match for Australia.
"We earmarked him as a chance for here and the SCG in particular, we think his record is really well suited," Cummins told reporters on Christmas Day.
"His record speaks for itself here in domestic cricket. Home ground, having someone fresh like him who can perform straightaway were the big factors.
"He's really excited obviously – it's a dream for him to wear the Baggy Green, packed MCG on Boxing Day, it doesn't get any better."
Two-nil down in the series, England have made four changes for the Boxing Day Test as they desperately seek a way to keep their Ashes hopes alive.
Zac Crawley has replaced opener Rory Burns, while Jonny Bairstow comes into the middle order for Ollie Pope.
Mark Wood will bolster England’s pace attack and left-arm spinner Jack Leach returns after missing the second Test to give England a frontline spin option.
